Improvement in padlocks



W. P. WIRTH 8L T. H. WICI-IERT. Padlock.

No. 213,798. Patented April 1,179.

` NFEERS. PHDTOJJTHDGRAPNER, WASNINETON. D CA UNITED STATESI PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM P. WIRTH AND THEODOR H. WICHERT, OF LANCASTER, PA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PADLOCKS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,798, dated April 1, 1879 application led December 23, 1878.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM P. WIRTH and THEoDoRr H. WIGHERT, of the city of Lancaster, in the State of Pennsylvania, have jointly invented certain Improvements in a Multiple Combined Padlock, of which the following is a speciiication:

This invention relates to a class of padlocks in which the shackle or hasp becomes wholly disengaged' from the shell or case of the lock, said lock being provided with twelve bolts having each an annular heel and combined in pairs, and moving on two parallel pins insections of four bolts in three spaces or chambers between plates, as herein more fully set forth.

The accompanying drawings, with the letters of reference marked thereon, with a brietl description, will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same.

Figure l is a vertical section of the lockcase, notched hasp, separate chambers, springs, and other parts in place. Fig. 2 represents, partially in perspective, the several chambers with the interlocking latches, to show the narrower side and open gripes, with the shackle and case removed. Fig. 3 shows the upper chamber and gripes and springs; Fig. 4, a notched key 5 Fig. 5, a side view'of one limb of the notched shackle or hasp. Fig. 6 illustrates the four upper (as the drawings stand) interlocking latches.

The oval case C differs from the ordinary cases in having a projecting shallow longitudinal chamber on its opposite sides, (shown by M, Fig. 3,) into which the coiled springs s s enter to govern the pairs of bolts in each chamber. Figs. 1 and 2 show the same interior work and arrangement of the interlocking gripes, commencing with the lower plate, Dl, as represented in its inverted position, which rests on the case inside, between the openings through which the shackle enters. This plate D1 has two parallel pintles, P, extending up into holes b in the lid or bottom B. On said plate DI are placed, over the pintles or pivots P, the two lower latches, each with a projecting jaw, d, on opposite sides, reversed or facing each other, their annular heels fembracing the pintles on alternate sides. The lower pair lie flat on the plate. The second pair have the jaw d made so as to overlap and dip down onto the plate D and bring it on a plane opposite to the jaw d on the under pair,

thus forming a pair of jaws on each side, to enter a notch, a, made in the limbs of the shackle A. The partition-plates have a notch, N, on two sides, to admit the shackle freely.

After the first section of four latches is in place, the second partition, D2, is put in place, having perforations to receive the pintles P, and projections R to enter the chamber M in the case, and between the partitions Dl and D2 a coiled spring, s s, is inserted, as aforesaid. The second section of four is built up in like manner with latches and side springs, and covered by plate D3, being of like construction as plate D2 so, also, the third or upper chamber, with the latches 2 4 and 1 3, and coiled springs to each pair, as in the other sections.

The plate D4 is of similar construction, but is provided on its upper surface with two Xed pins, S P, for a coiled spring, s, around each, if necessary.

The interior mechanism, combined as shown by Fig. 2, is set into the case, when the bottom B, with its central key-hole k, sets into a shoulder on the inner edge of the case, and then brazed or otherwise firmly secured. Each of the three separate chambers contains two pairs of interlocking latches, so that the jaws of the upper pair come on a plane and opposite the lower pair, thus providing twelve 1ockbolts or latches to enter therounded and toothed notches, three on each side of each limb of the U-shaped hasp or shackle A.

The key K is made with its notches to match, and so that the lock may be readily unlocked by one motion with the proper key, or the construction may be such that three distinct motions will be required, in this case, the key is entered from one chamber to the other in` succession and turned so as to act on each set of latches separately instead of entering so as to act on all the latches in all the chambers at once. My lock is thus so constructed that it is very diilicult to pick with a wire or s kele ton key not expressly adapted to the wards or in its notches. The wedge ends and notches of the shackle allow it to enter freely, the yielding spring-jaws closing under the notch to hold it.

projections R, the pintles P, affixed to plate Dl and passing through the plates D2 D3 D, the interlocking latches vibrating upon the pintles P, the springs S S, notched shackle A, and key K, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM P. WIRTH. THEODOR H. WICHERT. \\'itnesses:

JNO. M. AMWEG, JACOB STAUFFER. 

